Grip of endoscopic instrument

ABSTRACT

Described is a grip part of an endoscopic instrument with at least a movable control element for mechanical guidance of a tool unit mounted on the distal end of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument and a main body. 
     The invention is distinguished in that the main body has a largely symmetrical shape which is ergonomically adapted to the human hand such that the endoscopic instrument can be encircled at least partially by the palm of a hand balled into a fist and that the operating element is movable relative to the main body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a grip part of an endoscopic instrument with atleast one movable control element for mechanical control of a toolelement mounted on the distal shaft end of the endoscopic instrument anda main body.

STATE OF THE ART

The success of the application of endoscopic instruments in surgerydepends in no small part upon the operator-friendliness of suchinstruments, which in very large degree is determined by the ergonomicconfiguration of the grip parts.

Thus, for example, so-called scissors grips have long been known whichthrough activation permit the opening and closing of forceps mounted onthe distal side of endoscopic instruments. In the case of grip partsconfigured in this manner, if rotational movements at the distal side ofthe forcep in open or closed position are needed, the operator must turnhis wrist in a corresponding manner. However, this is possible only to acertain angle which is predetermined through the maximum rotationalmotion of the human wrist. Further twisting is possible through therotation of the shaft with the help of a knurled nut. In addition,branch grips and scissors grips are not fitted to individual hand sizes.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to ergonomically design a grip part of anendoscopic instrument with at least one movable control element formechanical control of a tool unit mounted on the distal end of the shaftof the endoscopic instrument and a main body such that the grip part issuitable both for left-handed and right-handed use. To the greatestextent possible, the grip part must be designed with simple spatialgeometry so that the associated manufacturing costs can be reduced. Inaddition, individual adjustment actions should be possible on the grippart in order to take into consideration the various hand sizes.

The solution to the object on which the invention is based is indicatedin claim 1 Advantageous embodiments of the invention presented in thedependent claims.

According to the invention, a grip part of an endoscopic instrument withat least one movable control element for mechanical guidance of a toolunit mounted on the distal end of the shaft of the endoscopic instrumentand a main body is designed such that the main body has a largelysymmetrical shape which is ergonomically adapted to the human hand suchthat the endoscopic instrument can be held fast solely by means of themain body which can be enclosed at least partially by the palm of a handwhich is balled to form a fist and that the control element is movablerelative to the main body.

The invention is based on the idea of designing the main body of thegrip part as symmetrically as possible and in a size such that the mainbody can be held in the palm of a hand which is balled into a fist.Advantageous shapes of main bodies of this kind are spherical bodiessuch as a ball or oblong shapes which advantageously correspond to thewidth of the palm of a hand and can be largely encircled by the palm incurved posture.

As a result of the symmetrical design of the main body according to theinvention, it is possible for the operator to grasp the grip part eitherwith the left hand or with the right hand. It can happen, particularlyin performing surgical procedures, that the operator must operateseveral endoscopic instruments at the same time; in this case it is avery advantageous if the operator can operate one and the sameendoscopic instrument both with the left hand and with the right hand inorder to be able to possibly perform the procedures more rapidly andthus with less stress on the patients.

The main body is advantageously mounted in proximal extension to theaxis to the instrument and should be attached so as to be slidable withrespect to the control element. In this manner it is possible to adjustthe grip part individually to the size of the operator's hand.

While it is possible to hold the entire endoscopic instrument with onlythe palm of the hand, which is able to encircle the main body, it isnevertheless advantageous for a counter hold to be attached to the mainbody in distal direction with which the operator can apply at least oneof his fingers for steadying. The control element advantageously ismounted movably on the counter hold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below, without limitation of the generalinventive idea, using exemplary embodiments with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic description of the grip part of an endoscopicinstrument,

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment for a main body, and

FIG. 3 depicts a conical configuration of the main body.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, an endoscopic instrument with an instrument shaft axis 1 anda tool unit 2 arranged at the distal side of the shaft 1, the tool unitin the case of the exemplary embodiment being a gripper unit. At theproximal side, a grip part 3 is arranged on the instrument shaft 1 withwhich it is possible to open and close the pliers-like tool unit and torotate the instrument shaft axis. According to the invention, grip part3 has a main body 4 which is configured in the manner of a ball andwhich can be encircled by the palm of the left hand as well as the righthand of the operator at a minimum such that the entire endoscopicinstrument can be carried by main body 4. Main body 4 is mounted on theproximal side on an extension 5 and can be slid relative to extension 5and can be fastened with a fastening unit 6 which, for example, can beconfigured in the manner of a stud screw, to the extension 5. As aresult of its being slidable, it is possible to adjust main body 4relative to control element 7 such that it is ergonomically comfortablefor an operator to operate grip part 3. To increase the holding power, aholding bar 10 is provided onto which at least one finger can be laid inorder to increase the counter pressure of main body 4 in the directionof the palm of the hand of an operator (not depicted in the drawing).

By moving control element 7 relative to main body 4, tool unit 2 can beopened and closed. In addition, knurled screws 8 and 9 project outwardswith which rotation of tool unit 2 together with instrument shaft 1around the shaft axis is possible and secondly, a firm connection of theinstrument shaft to grip part 3 can be formed.

In FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of a main body 4 is indicated whichis wedge-shaped in cross section and is ergonomically adapted to thepalm of the human hand. With this form as well it is possible to holdthe entire endoscopic instrument by only encircling grip part 4.

What is claimed is:
 1. A grip for use with a surgical instrument,comprising: an extension having a distal end and a proximal end, saiddistal end being connectable to a shaft of a surgical instrument; a mainbody having a symmetrical shape and being adjustably attached to saidproximal end of said extension; a rotation device located between andadapted to be in contact with both the shaft and said distal end of theextension, said rotation device for rotating the shaft about its axis; afinger supporting device fixed to said extension and located betweensaid rotation device and said main body for facilitating actuation ofthe surgical instrument; and a control element pivotably attached tosaid finger supporting device for actuating the surgical instrument. 2.The grip according to claim 1 wherein said main body is generallyspherical.
 3. The grip according to claim 1 wherein said main body has awedge-shaped configuration substantially enclosable by the palm of ahand.
 4. The grip according to one of claims 1 through 3, wherein adistance between said main body and said control element is fixablyadjustable.
 5. The grip according to claim 4, wherein said main body isadapted to be fixably mounted to the shaft and slidable.
 6. The gripaccording to claim 1, further comprising a set screw for adjustablyfixing said main body to said extension.
 7. The grip according to claim1, wherein said main body is adapted to be adjustable along the axis ofthe shaft.
 8. The grip according to claim 1, wherein said main body issubstantially enclosable by either hand of a user.